Commission denies gun manufacturer variance

Published 12:01 am, Thursday, June 23, 2011

The split decision, 4-2, with commissioners Jon Hazel and Sam Sitterle dissenting, denies the request for a zoning variance at 30968 Panther Drive to allow a “very limited” customer base to visit the home of a Cibolo Peace Officer who manufactures firearms as a side business.

Commission Chair Kenny Whistler, Gene Hartman, Mike Romans and Dick Lubel all voted to deny as well as refund the applicant his $400 application fee. The applicant did not attend the meeting. Commissioner Larry Sunn was not in attendance.

There would be no signage, but because it's a firearms manufacturer, applicants would need to fill out an application in person.

The nature of the business, and the inconclusive understanding of what sort of customer base the manufacturer has and will have, evoked concern from the commissioners as well as area residents.

“I can understand maybe one or two customers a month but, if it grows, when do we say that's too much traffic in a residential neighborhood? That's my concern,” said Steve Bedwell, a neighbor to the proposed firearms manufacturer. Another neighbor had written a formal letter of protest.

“It's in direct violation of our zoning ordinance,” said Bulverde Mayor Bill Krawietz, who also spoke during public comment. “Anybody's going to try and grow their business. The landowners' association thinks this would set a bad precedent, so where is that trigger point on low volume?”

“I hate to see this kind of business in the middle of a subdivision,” said Commissioner Dick Lubel. “We see it along neighborhoods along the Hwy. 281 corridor but that's a different situation.”

The commissioners, when they asked Director of Public Works John Nowak how it happened that an application for the variance was turned in (the commissioners assume many businesses operate out of homes in Bulverde without the city's knowledge), Nowak said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) called his office to ask if the firearms manufacturer was in violation of any zoning or other laws.

“We seriously need to look at our $400 application fee,” said Hazel. “We want people to be forthcoming and not have to face a financial barrier.”